The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

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The moment the phone call ended, Godfrey’s front door swung open again.

Vivienne glanced down at the huddled Martinez family by the doorway; her lips pursed into a slight smile. “Mr. Martinez, such formalities are hardly necessary.”

“Everybody up, now!”

Stellan’s cheeks flushed with embarrassment as he glared at Leopold, sprawled out behind him.

A cluster of people awkwardly rose to their feet, their faces painted with awkwardness. “Uh, Ms. Hawthorn, we’re really grateful for your help. Please, stay for dinner to thank you for taking care of my father.”

Audrey, lounging on the sofa, glanced over and snorted disdainfully, then looked away, indifferent to whether Godfrey lived or died.

“Stellan, aren’t you even gonna ask?” But she couldn’t stand to see the Martinez family have it easy. “What if Ms. Hawthorn’s treatment kills Dad?”

Griffin’s retort was sharper, “Because we’re not blind, we can see with our own eyes. Unlike you, sitting there like a frog in a well!”

As soon as Vivienne entered the room, she used her silver needles to stabilize Godfrey, halting his convulsions. The rest of her methods were a mystery to them.

But through the open door, they could see Godfrey’s color improving under Vivienne’s care. Clearly, her treatment was working.

Ignoring Audrey’s sour expression, Griffin cuddled up to Vivienne. “You’re amazing, Vivienne. You’re my hero!”

Leopold beamed with pride at the compliments directed at Vivienne, more pleased than if they were for himself. “Of course, you’ve seen who Vivienne is with, right? Let me tell you, when it comes to medicine, there’s no one better than her.”

Percival raised an eyebrow. “Sucking up won’t help you. Remember, you’re paying for the scratch you put on my car.”

your youngest junior, maybe we can

smiled subtly. “Remember to

Leopold’s impromptu stunt left a glaring scratch on it! God only

addressed Stellan. “Godfrey’s not out of the woods yet. He’ll need a couple more treatments. This toxin

you seem quite familiar with this,” Stellan said, puzzled by her

same issue yesterday. Luckily, someone was with her, so the perpetrator

she thought the attack was solely targeting her mother. Turns out, it was a

lurked in the shadows while she stood in the light. This adversary

have other matters today, so we’ll be

maybe look into the ancient warrior lineages. See if there’s a family known for using poison derived from insects. That’s

to control

“You’re saying my father was poisoned

of that particular family, and Stellan

subtly at Audrey, silent on the sofa. “Lancelot, let’s

assured. This concerns my father, and I will investigate thoroughly. However, if he

eyes flickered, and with a nonchalant wave, she said, “It’s no trouble at

“Huh?”

‘huh’? You wrecked Vivienne and Percival’s car; now get moving and

them. But why hit me? I only scratched Vivienne’s car because of you! Partly your

were driving; you pay up. Surely, you’re going

“Who said I can’t?”

not in matters of finance and especially

one car! Even if

brow twitched. “You want

“No, no, I didn’t mean that. I was just…